The brutality of the 1978 anti-Hindu riots in Sambhal is now coming to the fore. More than 180 people died in the violence which also claimed the life of Banwari Lal Goyal, a reputed businessman of the area. His hands, feet and throat were cut before he was set ablaze. His son Vineet Goyal who has now returned to Sambhal had to ceremoniously cremate his father because he was unable to find his ashes because of the unrest.
He revealed the truth about the riot on camera. He stated that the family had very large premises in Sambhal, where business was conducted. The rioters broke the gate of the compound using a tractor. He mentioned that their cook, Hardwari Lal, had been a witness to the entire incident. He hid in a drum. Banwari Lal Goyal was also hiding there along with others. Due to the chaos, all of them were in a closet on the second-floor closet.
He conveyed that the riots brought everyone down when they learned about this. According to Vineet Goyal, Hardwari Lal saw them chop off the hands and feet of Banwari Lal Goyal. The store and their entire property were doused in fuel and set on fire. Tires were also burned and his father and others were thrown into the inferno which resulted in their deaths. No one was left alive or spared.
"पहले निर्ममता से मारा…फिर टायरों पर रख कर शवों को जला दिया गया, इनकी हड्डियां तक नहीं मिली, एक महीने बाद घासफूस का पुतला बनाकर और उस पर आटा लगाकर हमने अंतिम संस्कार किया"
— aditi tyagi (@aditi_tyagi) December 24, 2024
ये विनीत गोयल हैं, संभल दंगों में मारे गए बनवारी लाल जी के बेटे जिनकी निर्ममता से हत्या कर दी गई थी pic.twitter.com/qfBWMUjHB9
Vineet Goyal expressed that this was the reason he was unable to locate his father’s remains. He was only able to confirm his death with the help of a part of his father’s glasses. A month after the riots, he was symbolically cremated by wrapping flour on flowers and leaves. Those accompanying him voiced that the situation has always been dreadful in Sambhal. They stated that although positive things were spoken during the Peace Committee meeting, nothing changed after it.
A recent report by OpIndia also featured information akin to what Vineet Goyal provided in the video. The administration prepared this report on the riots in Sambhal. According to the internal report, Banwari Lal Goyal was caught by the Muslim rioters who taunted, “You have come to collect money using hands and feet,” after which his limbs were sliced. Afterwards, they slashed his neck and murdered him. Meanwhile, the victim repeatedly pleaded, “Don’t cut me, don’t shoot me,” in front of the Muslim mob but to no avail.
They mercilessly killed him and 24 others. The difficulties for Vineet Goyal’s family didn’t end there. They were unable to get justice even after the horrific riots. The case was closed in 2010 due to lack of witnesses. The fact that Wasim shot dead Vineet Goyal’s business partner Pradeep Agarwal serves to clarify the immense strain that must have been on the witnesses. Furthermore, death threats were issued to anyone who dared to file an FIR (First Information Report) against him. Hence, no case was submitted against him.
Banwari Lal Goyal’s family was also pressurized by former Lok Sabha MP late Dr Shafiqur Rahman Barq to ensure that no rioter was punished. He had been a Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal. His grandson Ziaur Rahman Burke is the party’s MP from this seat at present. Banwari Lal Goyal’s family left Sambhal and moved to Delhi in 1993 due to the lack of justice and constant persecution. Now, Vineet Goyal has returned to Sambhal and met the District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP). He has also tried to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He declared that it would be a true tribute if his father, who was killed in the riots, received justice.